Your membership in the Hazen's Notch Association makes it possible for us to maintain these trails for your use. - Thank you !"

The Hazen's Notch Association is a non-profit conservation organization located in montgomery center, vermont.

The HNA provides environmental education programs
for schools, conducts a Summer Camp for children, maintains
a network of trails for Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing
and Hiking on 2,500 acres of land and serves as a local
land trust.

Your membership in the Hazen's Notch Association supports our work in conservation, environmental education, recreational trails, scientific research and stewardship of natural resources.

The Hazen's Notch Association maintains a network of 15 miles of trails and woods roads for hiking in Summer and Fall. These are part of a larger network of 40 miles of trails that are maintained in Winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the Hazen's Notch/Jay Peak area of northern Vermont.

The trails pass through a variety of interesting habitats that include meadows, forests, orchards, and beaver ponds. Trails range from restored woods roads that have gentle to moderate grades to narrow footpaths with steep climbs. There are numerous splendid views of the Jay Mountains in addition to the incredible beauty of the wildlfowers and wildlife that one sees along the trails. Pack a lunch and water as you will find several picnic tables at popular destinations such as the Moosewood Ponds, the High Meadow, Little Rock Pond and Bear Paw Pond. Bring a camera and/or binoculars. Most of the photographs on this website were taken while walking, skiing and snowshoeing on the Hazen's Notch Association trails.

See below for information about Trail access & Parking, Suggested Hikes, Rules of Use, Travel Directions and a Locator Map.

Hikers: Please access the HNA trailsfrom either the HNA Welcome Centeror from the entrance to the Bear Paw Pond Area.

There is currently no access to the HNA trailsfrom the High Ponds Farm.

Youth Hunting Weekend 2018 is Saturday + Sunday, November 3 + 4. For your safety please limit walking in the Hazen's Notch Area to town roads.

Be aware that hunters may be presenteven on lands posted against hunting.

HNA trails will be open to hikingMonday through Friday Nov 5 to Nov 9.

The regular hunting season starts Saturday Nov 10 and lasts 16 days.

All Trails are Closed to HikingDuring WinterAnd During Spring Mud SeasonNo Walking or HikingDecember 15, 2017 - May 13, 2018Hikers: A 200-acre area on Burnt Mountain has been posted against trespassing by the landowner. There is no access to trails beyond the High Meadow.

Closed: Beyond the back of the High Meadow, Notch Trail, Sunset Ridge + Window Rock trails.

The Welcome Center is a good place to begin if you would like to obtain information before starting out on your hike. In Winter the Welcome Center is staffed from 9-5, 7 days per week. In Summer, the Center is staffed on an occasional basis. The Welcome Center also serves as the Administrative Offices of the Hazen's Notch Association.

The Bear Paw Pond Area is where most of the HNA Summer Camp activities take place. This small 110-acre nature preserve is where you will find several Botany Trail loops. Maps and guides are available in the Trails Building located adjacent to the parking area.

All Trails are Closed to HikingDuring WinterAnd During Spring Mud SeasonNo Hiking or WalkingDecember 15 - May 13

HNA Conservation Land Management Information:

All of the trails, parking areas and lands described in the text and depicted on the maps on the pages of this website are on private land. Your ability to access these areas is at the discretion of the Hazen's Notch Association and the respective landowners. These private lands are being managed first and foremost as nature preserves. Conservation land management goals prioritize the protection of all natural resources including soils, water, animal and plant life. Recreation is limited to hiking in summer and fall and to skiing and snowshoeing in winter. The HNA will restrict recreation access if necessary to minimize threats to natural resources and other human impacts on these lands.

Please observe all trail and area use rules. They are posted at the trail access parking areas and on signs along the trails. Fires, camping, motorized vehicles, swimming and fishing are not allowed.

Dogsmust be on a short leash at
all times. In addition to minimizing conflicts between other people and their dogs, the leash rule is intended to prevent dogs from harassing wildlife which use the trails and adjoining areas as travel and feeding corridors as well as sites for raising their young.

Note that retractable "flexi-leads" are inadequate for controlling your dog. With 12 to 15 feet of lead, a dog can catch and kill a small animal before the owner even realizes that their dog is doing more than sniffing in the vegetation along the trails. Hermit thrush, for example, will regularly nest as few as 12" above the ground and within a few feet of the edge of a well-travelled trail. Fledgling grouse, as yet unable to fly more than 3 feet high or more than a distance of 12 feet, can be easy prey for a dog.

Hikers who do not observe the HNA dog leash rule will be asked to leave.

Please be aware that all HNA trails, parking areas, access roads, and all adjacent lands are private property. Access is at the discretion of the Hazen's Notch Association and the respective landowners. The trails and parking areas are open during daylight hours only. Do not drive past any gates even if left open.

Winter Trails Information

Trail users should be aware that while there is no charge to use the HNA trails in Summer and Fall, a trail/area use fee is charged in winter. Winter access to HNA trails is limited to the Welcome Center parking area. Other summer/fall parking areas are unplowed and closed to parking. In Winter walking on trails is not allowed and dogs are prohibited from all areas within the trail network. For complete information see: Winter Recreation

Group Visits: Please note that while the HNA Trails are open to the public at no charge in the summer, a fee is charged for groups. This includes school, home school, church or other community groups. This includes both non-profit and for-profit groups and whether your visit is self-directed or facilitated by HNA staff. There are many costs associated with the management of trails that are open to the public. Group use fees and membership contributions help the HNA to meet these expenses. Please contact the HNA to arrange your group visit. Thank you.

Become a Member of the HNA. Membership benefits include: receiving the Hazen's
Notch News and seasonal calendars of events; discounts on education
programs summer camp and recreation outings. In
supporting the HNA you will join over 400 individuals who contribute to
the Association to support its activities.